“Juices of fruits and vegetables are pure gifts from Mother Nature and the most natural way to heal your body and make yourself whole again.” ~ Farnoosh Brock, The Healthy Juicer’s Bible: Lose Weight, Detoxify, Fight Disease, and Live Long

Do you like to juice? How about mixing some delicious fruits and veggies together? How about making a fruit and veggie smoothie that can help eliminate pain and inflammation?

Sound good?

OKAY, LET’S MAKE THAT SMOOTHIE!

First, here are the ingredients:

– 1/2 a Pineapple– 2 ribs of celery– 1 head of Romaine lettuce– A handful of cilantro– A thumb-sized piece of ginger

In case you are curious, here’s what each ingredient does for your health!

“Pineapples’ nutritional benefits are as fascinating as their anatomy,” says San Diego-based nutritionist Laura Flores, “As well as having high amounts of manganese, which is important for antioxidant defenses, pineapples also contain high amounts of thiamine, a B vitamin that is involved in energy production.”

In a study published in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, scientists conclude that – because of a molecule called apigenin, which celery contains – the vegetable reduces certain inflammatory markers. Apigenin also encourages proper immune system operations.

“A dieter’s dream, romaine lettuce has about 8 calories and 1-2 grams of carbohydrates per cup. Although it’s low in fiber, it’s high in minerals, such as calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, and potassium,” says registered dietitian, Natalie Butler, “It’s naturally low in sodium. Plus, romaine lettuce is packed with vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate. It’s a good source of beta-carotene, which converts into vitamin A in the body.”

Studies demonstrate that the unique compounds and metabolites contained in ginger help prevent and treat certain illnesses. The compounds gingerols and shogaols have been both researched extensively and shown to be effective.

This five-ingredient smoothie recipe is potent against pain and inflammation primarily because of the ingredients’ high concentrations of anti-inflammatory properties. It is also worth mentioning that this drink is fantastic for maintaining healthy immune system function – particularly during the cold and flu seasons.

Something that caught this writer’s attention is the rich array of vitamins and nutrients in romaine lettuce! Besides including the delicious veggie in this drink recipe, it’s worth considering as a stable in one’s everyday diet!

Note: Pineapple, because of its tough and fibrous texture, may clog up your juicer. Please consider removing the skin and chopping the fruit into smaller portions if this is a concern.